KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
After nearly ten inches of snow last night, followed by rain, all manner of inconveniences struck Kodiak this morning.
The harbormaster is advising all boat owners to go shovel the snow off their vessel immediately. Marty Owen says three boats have sunk this morning.
All flights to and from Kodiak were cancelled this morning because of deep standing water on the runway. Crews were working to clear it enough to resume operations this afternoon.
Residents are also advised to take extra precautions when traveling in town. Part of Rezanof Drive was closed this morning because of severe flooding. The road was reopened about an hour later. Large puddles have been reported at the Y and other intersections around town. The Kodiak Police Department asks drivers to slow down and avoid those areas if possible
Jerry Clark at First Student says only a few school buses were caught up in snow berms this morning and that they didn’t send buses out to Chiniak, otherwise it was business as usual.
Kodiak Island Borough School District Superintendent Stewart McDonald says when bad weather strikes, the district works with First Student to anticipate road conditions. What they didn’t expect was the flooding that happened as a result of wet snow clogging up sewage drains.
McDonald adds that the school gives an excused absence to any student whose parent decides to keep them home from school due to weather or road conditions.
Perry Dayne from the National Weather Service in Kodiak says temperatures aren’t expected to reach freezing until Thursday.
